James Hales

Deon Unthank

Gold City - Moment Of Truth
Proving that they are still the premier quartet in Southern Gospel Music, this CD shows that Gold City was never built around just one voice. Listening to this project, you would never know that GC had a personnel change. Bruce Taliaferro steps up to the plate and hits a home run. This CD gives a nice feel between a Progressive and Traditional feel. I loved the old Gold City and I love the new Gold City, therefore this CD had to be in my op 5 for 2008.

Booth Brothers - Room For More
The Booth Brothers just keep getting better and better and as a result, so do their CDs. Just one word describes this project..... Diversity. These three guys are as different in their personalities as they are with their vocal stylings, and it all comes through in this project. Whether is a fun song like "Welcome To The Family", a big Ballad like "Stand", or the novel real life message of "Stuff Of Life" (my favorite on the whole CD), this CD has something for everybody. This CD never gets played just once when it is in my CD player.

The Kingsmen - When God Ran
I think that this CD above any other that the Kingsmen have recorded in the past few years illustrates that the Kingsmen are back in the form of the Hamill years. The variety on this CD is impressive. From the old Florida Boys song "The Cloud He's Coming Back On" to the Country sounding "Gospel Road", to the classic sound of the Kingsmen on "He Knows My Name" this CD shows a strong, tight sounding Kingsmen. My favorite song on this project is the older Contemporary tune "When God Ran". Bryan Hutson at the Baritone spot adds another dimension to this recording and this current group.

Greater Vision - Hymns Of The Ages
I chose this CD for a couple of reasons. First it's nice once in a while to be able to just sit back and not be distracted by huge arrangements, but to be able to readily hear and enjoy the message of the songs. Being a compilation of great Hymns, the whole emphasis of this CD is the message of the songs. Secondly, Greater Vision has shown something not often seen in Southern Gospel recordings...... elegance. This CD is not flashy or showy, but it is elegant. GV has mastered the high church music, such "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" with reverence and beauty, and yet performed the good ole country church music such as "Tell Me The Story Of Jesus" with class and dignity. One other thing that I appreciated about this CD is that there are no stand out solos. This CD is truly a group effort, one that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Chris Unthank

Moment of Truth - Gold City
Our first introduction to Gold City with new lead singer Bruce Taliferrio is a real gem. Gold City continues down the path set for them by their last album - Revival - with Moment of Truth. The guys continue to push the boundaries of what is and is not considered traditional southern gospel music with every release - and Moment of Truth is no disappointment in that regard.

Life - Dove Brothers
Speaking of pushing the boundaries of traditional Southern Gospel music - no group has been better at doing it over the last few years than the Dove Brothers. Life features even more country based tracks coupled with the Dove Brothers' memorable quartet harmonies. This group just gets better and better with each release.

Nothin' But Good - Mike LeFevre Quartet
This is the real break-out recording of the year, and it couldn't be released by a better quartet. The Mike LeFevre Quartet's melding of styles (everything from praise and worship, traditional quartet music, and progressive arrangements) makes for an amazing experience. Southern Gospel fans should not miss out on this album.

Timeless Hymns & Classics, Vol. 2 - Brian Free & Assurance
I'll admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Vol. 1, but Brian Free & Assurance continue to make some of the best recordings in Southern Gospel. For all those people afraid that Brian Free has left the ranks of traditional southern gospel, they should check out this album of fantastic songs ranging from hymns to modern day classics.

Other notable releases:
What If I'm Right? - Misty Freeman
Ephesians One - Karen Peck & New River
Never Alone - Greater Vision
Room For More - Booth Brothers
Runaway Train - Crabb Revival

John Scheideman

REFLECTIONS:A TRIBUTE - Southern Sound
There have been many tributes to the Statesmen Quartet through the years, but none have been better than this one. Group leader snd lead singer Ben Harris is as good an arranger as is going these days, and his knowledge of Statesmen music is as extensive as there is. The group's harmony is among the best in the business in the past several years, and nowhere is that more evident than on their rendition here of "Goodbye Troublesome Blues". Among all the groups going today that specialize in keeping traditional quartet music alive, perhaps none is better than Southern Sound.

SO MANY REASONS - Dixie Echoes
Another group that has settled into a traditional purist vein when it comes to gospel quartet music, this fine album finds the quartet freshening up old classics in a very enjoyable mixture. Some might criticize groups like the Dixie Echoes for being anachronistic, but this album proves there's always an audience for well-done music in a time honored manner.

ROOM FOR MORE - Booth Brothers
The opening strains of "Welcome To The Family" promise that this will be another great project by what may be America's top gospel singing group today. Tight harmonies, good songs, and excellent production are usually associated with benchmark albums, but for the Booths, it has become commonplace. Certainly one of this past year's top albums.

ALWAYS HAVE A SONG TO SING - Mark Trammell Trio
This fine group always does, and based on the quality of this project, always will. This is the MTT's best project to date, and its quality indicates that there is more of the same in store in the year(s) to come.